Preparing a good sermon is rather like preparing a marinara sauce. The real secret lies not so much in knowing what should be included as in knowing what should be left out.
Then again, it also occurs to me that delivering a good sermon is like cooking the pasta: you can start however you like, as long as you know exactly when to stop!
Spot on about the bread and wine. Of course, I trust you will agree that it must be Italian bread - no wafers! And - pace nonconformists - alcoholic red wine (preferably full-bodied) - no grapejuice!
Then again, it also occurs to me that delivering a good sermon is like cooking the pasta: you can start however you like, as long as you know exactly when to stop!
ReplyDeleteI was taught that you know the spaghetti is ready by throwing a strand at the ceiling: if it doesn't stick, it's either over- or under-cooked.
ReplyDeleteIf it doesn't stick to the ceiling, it can also mean you've already got too much spaghetti stuck up there.
ReplyDeleteHmm, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes and salt.
ReplyDeleteIt's four points, but it might make an intersting sermon!....
Personally I think we have far too much overcooked spaghetti in our churches. I always prefer my sermons a la dente.
ReplyDeletePasta Frank
My Asian buddy says a good sermon is like stir fry. You can't let it sit too long before you serve it.
ReplyDeleteTasty metaphor.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, pasta dishes are usually better as leftovers the next day. Not so with a sermon.
Most importantly, both the pasta and the sermon are incomplete unless accompanied by bread and wine.
ReplyDeleteNice blog. Very educative
ReplyDeleteThere is some real truth in this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, I am in great shape -- my homilies are quite short, so I leave a lot out. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Catholic and Italian.
ReplyDeleteSpot on about the bread and wine. Of course, I trust you will agree that it must be Italian bread - no wafers! And - pace nonconformists - alcoholic red wine (preferably full-bodied) - no grapejuice!
Protestant and Italian (-American)